It's all about the light, that precious and fickle element to photography.

More so crucial to me when photographing in subtropical locations where often it's so harsh and crisp that leads to high contrast images. 

But now, coming closer to the winter solstice, it's softer, warmer and the sun lingers longer over the horizon before it sets giving more time to create a few softer images.

On a camping trip with a riding buddy.

Urban motorcycles

I am not a big fan of urban riding with all the stop-go traffic and congestion. But admittedly there are some spots in the city that lend themselves as a backdrop for interesting images.

 

Yamaha XSR700. M.Zuiko 45mm f1.8

Honda CB650R.  Zonlai Discover 25mm f1.8

Yamaha XSR700. Kodak Cine 102mm f2.7

Yamaha XSR700.  Cosmicar 50mm f1.4  (C-mount)

Yamaha XSR700. M.Zuiko 45mm f1.8

Yamaha XSR700.  Cosmicar 50mm f1.4  (C-mount)

Benji. Cosmicar 50mm f1.4  (C-mount)

When grass is enough

Grass is enough for me to make me dream of wide open spaces, while still living in a city.
There is this open field left untouched by urban sprawl where the sun can though the horizon.


refitted projector lens RO501-1 100mm f2  1/6400sec

As the sunset comes I like to squat or even lay on the ground and observe the light filtered by the thin texture. As the breeze moves the sunlit field, one can imagine gentle waves on a golden sea.


refitted projector lens RO501-1 100mm f2   1/1250sec

There is something about the wonderful structure of the stalk supporting the grains of seed in the crown.


adapted Kodak Cine 50mm f1.6  1/4000sec



refitted projector lens RO501-1 100mm f2   1/1250sec


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Same place: 3 different moods

I was hoping for a fiery sunset that evening.
All week long the sky has been turning spectacular with powerful red skies; but I was stuck in the city.
Now it was Saturday and I headed to the beach: it was going to be low tide at sunset.
But one thing it's sure with outdoor photography: I can't control the light.
What I thought was going to happen didn't: there was no fiery sky, no dramatic clouds.
The sun lowered to the horizon and then it met low dark clouds. The light went from soft warm to steel cold and flat.

I had a few vintage lenses with me, none of them really designed for my camera. One was a slide projection lens from a Kodak Carousel that I mounted on some macro bellows to be able to focus and certainly the hardest lens to use. Very low contrast, not very sharp and rendering highlights with a glow.


Kodak Ektanar C 102mm f2.8 slide projector lens  1/4000sec

As the light quickly changed I suddenly was faced with a very blue light that robbed all the typical colors of a beach at sunset. What it gave me instead is the opportunity to create a different look, of a more somber and pensive style.


adapter lens from miniature SLR system Pentax-110: 70mm f2.8 (fixed aperture)  1/640sec

Eventually the light faded away and just as I was heading back I notice the mangrove tree silhouetted against the sky.


adapter lens from miniature SLR system Pentax-110: 18mm f2.8 (fixed aperture)  1/200sec


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Alfresco dining

With a warm climate year-round and low precipitation Brisbane offers the perfect weather for eating out, under the stars.

I particularly enjoy the markets and urban parks South of the river where dining is a much more organic and low -profile experience than in the city itself. 

G.Lumix 14mm f4.5  1/6sec

I see a more down-to-earth crowd where the focus is to enjoy oneself, not parade or show off :-)

The people that frequent these places are very approachable and conversations flow easily.
The food can be viewed and the offerings are extremely varied, from all continents.

G.Lumix 14mm f2.5  1/25sec
And ultimately I see a much closer connection between people where they can mingle freely and not just stuck behind a crammed noisy restaurant table unable to talk due to the noise.


Pentax-110 50mm f2.8  1/6sec
After living in USA for almost a decade (MA, VA, UT and CA) I now really appreciate how these open spaces where one can socialize and enjoy a simpler life contribute to a more genuine quality life.

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Romantic evening walk

At an open space in the city, just before sunset.


adapted Pentax-110 70mm f2.8    1/160sec

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Crossing the bridge

Crossing the bridge that connects the city to the open space.



M.Zuiko 40-150R  f5.6  1/250sec

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